Linton Granta
FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/FOOTYFOCUSMAG
However our games at home are
where you see how important the club
is to the village. Not only do we get our
usual generous support, there are also
children of all ages watching or playing
their own game of football at the side
of the pitch. This all results in a packed
clubhouse at the end of the game where
players from all teams including the
opposition congregate and socialise
together with the supporters, families
etc.”
Facilities
“We were lucky enough to get a grant
from the F.A. a couple of years ago so we
could improve our facilities. We
now have new changing
rooms, a referee’s room
and large store for
all our equipment.
The bar is excellent
with good space,
plenty of drink
options available
and two large
TVs
which
are vital when
keeping
people
in for a drink after
games and following
the full time scores.
The best addition
however is probably the
kitchen which means we can supply
a meal to all players and officials on
a Saturday afternoon plus extra food
when needed. All of this wouldn’t be
what it is without the volunteers who
are at the clubhouse every week.
The members of the team who work
tirelessly every week in the kitchen and
68 Issue 74
behind the bar have so much respect
and gratitude from all players and
supporters. We do also have the use of
the local Village College’s full sized 4G
pitch to train on once a week; this is an
unrivalled facility that many other clubs
from around the area hire to use and it is
on our own door step.”
Challenges
“I think our main two threats are
regarding players. Firstly, it would be to
continue to encourage young players to
join the club and even continue playing
for the club. Currently, young people
have so many options/distractions to
participate in other activities,
sport,
socialising,
computer games etc.
We
have
to
make
sure
the
players want to
play
football
and create an
environment
where they can
stay, enjoy their
football
and
develop into the
best footballer they
can be. I think a lot
of young people are
doing other things and
many clubs may struggle with
player numbers, currently we are fine in
this regard but we cannot take our eye
off the ball.
Secondly, I think and certainly this
is more evident at first team level that
other clubs are doing as much as they
can to recruit new players. I am of course
biased to Linton that we have the best
facilities around and train on a 4G pitch
with superb clubhouse and volunteers
but we do ask all players to pay match
fees and I’m sure that isn’t the same for a
lot of teams in the same league as our first
team and that could turn some players
heads. Fortunately, the community
feel and general camaraderie between
all players and supporters will help to
continue in keeping players happy and
loyal.”
Ambitions
“I think the club wish to continue
with the ambitions already set out. This
would be to continue to develop young
players and hopefully get them to the
ability to improve the first team and if
not just ensure they enjoy their football
no matter which team they are playing
for. On the pitch we are motivated to
improve performances each season
and realistically we would aim to win
a cup competition for any of the teams
in the coming seasons and if possible for
the First team to compete again for the
league title.
We would also continue to be at the
centre of the community; this includes
extra fund raising events and ensuring
the club is welcome to all and keep
families visiting on Saturday afternoons.
We are lucky that we received the
monies from the F.A. to improve our
facilities and with the popular bar after
games and players paying match fees the
club can continue to run with money in
the account.”
www.footballfocusmag.com
69